Hello there and welcome to chapter four! Holy moly it's been forever since I've updated! I'm so sorry about that! I re-wrote this chapter about ten times and I'm still not completely pleased with it. -_-

I also finally caught up to the manga. Hallelujah. That took forever, and now I'm not in the dark. XD Plus there were many lovely NaLu moments towards the end of the GMG arc. *fangirls*

Anyway, enough of my ramblings and enjoy!

Chapter 4: Old Enemies

"So why do you think those thieves would want an old staff anyway?" Natsu asked, excitedly pacing back and forth on the marble steps to the museum.

We had relocated soon after our chat with the curator to the fourth museum, the one he proposed would be broken into. I laid back on the bottom step and put my hands behind my head. This job already seemed like a bust. We would have one big fight and then, wham, it was over. No time for any Lucy and Natsu bonding at all.

"Hey Levy." I turned my head to look at the blunette who was sitting next to Gajeel, a few steps up. Her head was bobbing forward repeatedly as she tried to stay awake. However as she jumped halfway to Edolas when I called her name I realized she was fighting a losing battle.

"Huh?" she asked, lazily rubbing her eyes.

"Have you ever heard about this staff thingy before? I mean, you read so much," I said, recounting my visit to her apartment, or rather mini-library.

She yawned before nodding slightly. "Yeah, I think I read something about it somewhere. It was the staff of one of the kings of Almia about five hundred years ago. When he died it went missing for a long while before just randomly washing up on a beach. I don't remember much past that except for that rumor the curator told us. And then that it's been separated into four pieces since then."

I nodded halfheartedly, my gaze now on Natsu as he continued to pace, his teeth clenched and eyebrows knitted together. He obviously wasn't happy with waiting; it was almost three in the morning.

Thwack!

My head whipped over toward the sound, my nerves already on high-alert but relaxing quickly as I realized Levy had tipped over, not able to keep her eyes open any longer. Her head was now on Gajeel's lap and his face held the most priceless expression I had ever seen. His hands hovered over her, not sure what to do. He looked like a new father being given his newborn child; he was obviously not only flustered but confused.

He awkwardly patted Levy on the head before slightly shrugging and leaning back on the step behind him, just like he had been before.

I sighed. Sure it was odd and awkward but Levy and Gajeel had something special. I wasn't exactly jealous, but a bit frustrated.

"WHERE ARE THEY?" Natsu yelled, his head tilted back as he screamed to the sky.

I flinched at his loudness and pursed my lips. Right there was why I was frustrated. He was so loud. He never took time to just sit down and realize how someone felt. Whether it be Lisanna and her obvious love for him, me, one of his closest friends, or anyone else in the guild. He had a one-track mind, and I had no idea how to derail it.

"For the love of god, Salamander. Just sit and wait like the rest of us," Gajeel hissed, a little quieter than usual as to not wake the still sleeping Levy. Though if she could sleep through Natsu's shouting I doubted his talking would wake her up.

Natsu sent a glare toward the Iron Dragon Slayer before continuing his pacing on the top step, ignoring Gajeel's advice completely.

The rest of the night went on similarly. Levy was conked out and soon Gajeel was too. Happy tried desperately to keep up the same amount of enthusiasm Natsu had, but before the little cat knew it he was out cold as well, curled up on the second to top step, his tail completely limp. I as well tried to stay awake. I needed my wits about me if the thieves did show up but after another hour and a half of waiting, I blacked out, unable to stay awake even one minute longer. The thieves had obviously either known our plan ahead of time and bailed, or the curator had been wrong about them robbing the fourth museum.

So you can only imagine exactly how surprised I was to be awoken the next morning by the loud sound of a siren. I scrambled to attention, plopping down one step and flinching at the shooting pain in my tailbone. There were lights and sirens going off everywhere inside the museum, the light shooting through the windows as a small speaker attached to the museum's roof blasted out the alerting sound.

My heart was pounding, anticipating the worst and I could tell my companions felt the same way. We had missed them. They had broken in while we were asleep. The question was: how long ago?

The door to the museum burst open and the small and stout man who ran the museum blew through the opening.

"Over there!" he exclaimed, pointing behind himself and back into the museum. He was hopping up and down quickly, his small top hat tumbling off in the process. "They went that way, you might still be able to catch them if you hurry!"

The small man didn't need to tell us twice and before he knew what hit him Natsu had shoved him out of the way and flown into the museum followed by Levy, Gajeel, Happy, and I.

This museum looked almost identical to the one we had been in the past day. High end, classy, and overall just plain beautiful. Minus the deafening alert signal which was currently going haywire. I glanced around, my eyes landing on a pile of broken glass on the floor surrounding a pedestal. Sure enough, they had obtained the fourth piece.

"C'mon!" Natsu shrieked, blurring as he ran across the museum, weaving around exhibits as he rushed toward the back door which was still propped open. It was our only lead to find where the thieves had gone.

I sprinted after him, Gajeel and Levy's footsteps echoing mine behind me. We just had to get to them before they got too far. If we were able to catch up, in a fight no doubt Natsu and Gajeel would be able to easily overpower them, mages or not.

I flew through the back door, my eyes quickly scanning the landscape. Natsu was now just a dot of pink in the distance as a cloud of dust followed him. He was probably the fastest person I knew and I doubted anyone could keep up with him when he was pumped about something.

The first museum, where we had accepted the job, was in the heart of Ratsel town. Crowded streets with loads of cars and yelling people all around. However it seemed that this museum was located on the outskirts of the city. Green grass stretched as far as the eye could see, rolling hills and the stray tree dotting the landscape. If I hadn't have been in such a hurry I would have stopped to soak up the beauty.

"Natsu! Wait!" I yelled as the pink dot in the distance disappeared over the hill.

"Oy, c'mon Shrimp!" Gajeel yelled.

I heard a squeak from behind me before Gajeel went barreling past, a very shocked Levy thrown over his shoulder. I couldn't help but let out a giggle as Levy mouthed a 'help me' before being carted off into the distance.

With Levy taking the Gajeel express I was then officially the slowest member of our group. I groaned, forcing my burning thighs to carry me faster. Gajeel and Levy disappeared over the hill a moment later and I pushed myself harder. I needed to at least be able to keep up if I planned on being any help on the mission.

I topped the hill a second later, triumphantly giving myself a mental pat on the back before crashing into someone's back. That someone being Natsu. I had expected him to be long gone by now but instead he stood perfectly still, staring into the distance. Gajeel with Levy still over his shoulder was still as well, a little ways to my right.

I looked to Natsu's face and slowly followed his gaze, finally noticing exactly what he was staring at.

It appeared the thieves had decided to stay and fight, not run. Two men stood across from our group, only a few yards away.

The man on the left was gigantic. Much taller than any person I had ever seen, and one of the only people who could hold a candle to Droy's width. He wore a tiny brown shirt which was far too small for him, strings flying in every direction as the shirt struggled to maintain its shape and not burst into a million pieces. His pants were similar, far too small for him and I for a moment questioned if he realized exactly how big he was. A metal helmet adorned his head, sinking low enough to cover his eyes, the only thing visible on his face being a crooked smile with teeth jutting out in all directions. At first look I was disgusted, but as I continued to soak in his appearance I became fearful. If this man was indeed a mage, he would be able to deliver one hell of a punch.

The man on the right was almost the exact opposite. He was as thin as a toothpick, his gangly limbs looking unhealthy as he sat on a chair. I gave the man a hesitant look as I pondered where he had even gotten a chair in the first place. He smiled at me, his long white wispy hair blowing in the breeze and small crinkles at the sides of his eyes forming. I was too intrigued to be repulsed.

The two men stood perfectly silent, apparently waiting for us to make the first move.

I glanced back to Natsu, his eyes the size of saucers, and wondered why he hadn't made a move yet. He was always the first to charge into a battle, even if it wasn't a good idea. So why was he standing still now? In fact, the same could be asked of Gajeel. The two of them were like statues.

I took the pause as an opportunity to grab a key. If Natsu and Gajeel weren't going to make the first move, I sure was. These men were obviously the ones who had taken the relic, as the old man held a light blue orb in his hand. It was the exact same color the dragon statue had been.

I fumbled with my keys for only a moment, choosing Loke's before readying myself. This was it.

"Open-"

My call for my spirit was cut off as Natsu's arm flew out in front of me, almost in a protective manner. Loke's key which had begun to glow, dimmed as I let my arm slack and looked to Natsu with a confused expression. Why was he stopping me? Weren't we here to fight them?

"Natsu-" I started but was once again cut off.

"Look at their marks," Natsu hissed, his arm moving backwards even further, forcing me to step behind him.

I glanced to the men in front of us again, my eyes sweeping their bodies for guild marks. The first one I saw was on the wrist of the older man. I squinted. It resembled a blue R, with a wing on the top. I had seen that mark before. I wracked my brain before finally remembering, and when I did my eyes couldn't have gotten any larger.

"Raven Tail."

So there it is! Rather short... and kinda anti-climactic. T-T But the Gajeel-express needs to be a thing. I would ride it everywhere. (No that was not meant to sound as dirty as it did. 0.o)

Also. I take it that Raven Tail is still a guild. They were just kicked out of the GMG right? I hope I'm not wrong about that. Oh, and yes Lily isn't with them now, but he will be!

A big gigantic thanks to the lovely people who reviewed last chapter: Ocarys, IfYouLovedMe, MythandFairyTailLover13, shadowninja2000, Celtika82, xCassie97x, YamiHinata, sparrow2099, MelodyOfSecrets, Rinku-LavaDragonSlayer, ShadowAlchemist503, ninathefox243, DitDitto, and Anime Kat Reaper! Reviews make me such a happy person. And they make Happy happy too!

Happy: Aye!

Anyway, the next chapter will be up sooner than this one! And hopefully be better too!

I hope you have a great week!